9: The Question of Subjectivity and Individuality

This chapter unfolds the evolving understanding of trauma. As reflected in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‑11), the emphasis is on subjectivity and individuality in trauma experiences. This shift raises critical questions about the boundaries of subjective trauma and challenges the binary of trauma versus non‑trauma, highlighting that traumatic responses vary widely among individuals. Factors such as belief systems, internal resources, and personal coping abilities shape how trauma is processed and managed. The case of Lisbeth exemplifies the complexity of trauma’s subjective impact. The chapter investigates how societal tendencies toward victim blaming further complicate trauma narratives by shifting responsibility from the offender to the victim, fostering ambivalence within the victim and how it is affecting internal dialogues. These dialogues often consist of conflicting voices which might reshape self-understanding and perception of the world.